After discussing the need of the healthy for a balanced diet (please observe that this is not the so-called balanced meals of yesteryear) Victor Lindlahr asks: "Is it not logical to insist that sick people, too, must receive enough (and proper percentages) of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and each of the known minerals and vitamins necessary to life? Of course the sick must receive balanced nourishment before any additions or modifications necessary for their specific disease can be made."

Instead of this statement being true, it is often essential that the sick abstain from food altogether or go on a very restricted diet for a period,, before they can hope to recover health. The balanced diet is more appropriate for upbuilding after recovery is almost completed.